I have a friend who is currently going through court proceedings with her ex in relation to child contact. Her ex was abusive towards her and the child.
She was initially told by the solicitor (back in June) that she would be eligible for legal aid. She is on universal credit and child benefit.
Anyway, they have done the application for the legal aid and it has come back today that she is not eligible. This is because she has £3000 in her current account and there is £6000 in ISA for her children.
She is due to sign for her new property next week and she will need to pay £1500 of the £3000 for this. She cannot access the £6000 as the account it is held in can’t be opened until the kids are older.
The solicitor has said that the cost to her so far is around £2000 and if they continue to represent her then it will cost around £7000 in total. She has said she cannot pay it so they have now said they have pulled the case.
My friend is panicking as she is not sure what this means. There is a prohibited steps order which was supposed to be in place until the next court hearing but now this is not happening she is not sure if it valid.
She does not know where to go next in terms of legal support and can not afford to pay the 7000. The solicitor is no longer returning her calls.
Has anyone got any advice?